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Welcome to the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership Newsletter. In this message:
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Climate change adaptation & biodiversity in the West Midlands 
A free seminar for biodiversity land managers and advisors to investigate 'wildlife management in a changing environment' will be held on 25th November 2009 in Birmingham. Organised jointly by the West Midlands Climate Change Adaptation Partnership and the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership , the seminar will look to initiate debate on managing our existing wildlife sites, taking account of climate change; identify potential indicators for monitoring our changing biodiversity resource due to climate change; and develop ideas for future action. To receive a full programme for the seminar, and to book a place, contact Audrey McGrath audrey.mcgrath@naturalengland.org.uk Natural Assets grant scheme launched 
Natural Assets is a £2 million grant scheme for the West Midlands, funded by Advantage West Midlands and delivered by Natural England . Anyone who lives or works in the West Midlands is never far from a natural space with big environmental, leisure and tourism potential. But at the moment, that potential isn't being fully realised, with many open natural areas underused and, in some cases, poorly maintained. The Natural Assets grant scheme aims to improve and properly maintain those spaces, enhancing biodiversity, attracting visitors and new businesses, creating jobs and increasing the value of property in the area. For further information and advice, or to apply for a grant, visit http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/regions/west_midlands/ourwork/naturalassets/default.aspx Spotlight on . . . the Environment Agency 
An important driver for the work of the Environment Agency is the UKBAP . Ponds have recently been added to the list of priority BAP habitats, and the Agency has set its own internal targets for creation of new ponds. At Clee Hill in Shropshire, three high quality ponds have been created on a farm with a new Higher Level Stewardship agreement. The Agency’s inhouse workforce constructed the ponds, working closely with Natural England. They also carried out localised tree work to improve light penetration to the ponds and surrounding species-rich meadows. A further key issue for the Environment Agency is the drive to reduce flooding. The Agency is supporting a project on the River Isbourne in Worcestershire, through which advice is given to farmers on land-use practices that reduce surface run-off and soil erosion. This leads to improvements in water quality and enhances farmland habitats, as well as avoiding sediment build-up, which leads to flooding problems. The SITA Trust has announced a new three-year £8 million Enriching Nature Programme that will run from 2010-2012. There will be three funding rounds per year in each of the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, with applicants able to request up to £120,000 for an individual project. The SITA Trust welcomes applications from not-for-profit organisations with projects that focus on conserving a species or habitat identified as a priority in the UKBAP process. For more information on the programme, including deadline dates and an application guide, visit www.sitatrust.org.uk/nature-funding 
The RSPB and Natural England are hosting a free technical workshop on 'managing reedbeds for wildlife' on 1st December 2009 in Leicester. This national workshop will combine the experience and knowledge from research, conservation and site management fields to explore current best practice reedbed management and discuss future research requirements and partnership opportunities. To book a place contact Ann Patterson ann.patterson@rspb.org.uk The latest edition of the newsletter from Pond Conservation is now available online, including news about the first ponds created at Gallow's Bridge Farm for the Million Ponds Project, and a look at some misinformation about looking after ponds during this season of falling leaves. To read the newsletter, visit www.pondconservation.org.uk/aboutus/News/Newsletter+September+2009/ River Basin Management Plans submitted The Environment Agency has submitted its River Basin Management Plans for each river basin district in England and Wales to Government for approval. The Plans will be formally published on 22nd December 2009. The submitted Plans are available on the Environment Agency's website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk/wfd Regional Spatial Strategy report published The West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy Review Phase 2 Panel Report has now been published. To view the report, visit http://www.gos.gov.uk/gowm/Planning/515750/panelreport09/ |
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